News in Brief - 09.10.2009

News in Brief

Breast Cancer charity bonanza

AMARILLA Golf Club captain Ian Pilling last week handed over a cheque for 5,300 euros to Tenerife Breast Cancer Care (AMATE).

That huge total was raised through the club’s recent Legends’ Day, featuring darts giants Eric Bristow and John Lowe.

And Ian is planning another windfall for his chosen charity via his long-running raffles. Pam Cowan, his chief go-getter, has already collected 12 quality prizes, with more to follow.

More good news came this week when Bristow and Lowe insisted next year’s Legends’ golf day should take place on the Amarilla course again.

“They were also very impressed with the venue and efforts of the staff at Amarilla Golf,” said Ian. “We will strive to make next year even bigger and better than this year – I’m just not sure how at the moment! But the date has already been set for 19^th September.”

 

 

 Animal rescue centres merge
SEVERAL representatives from Live Arico, plus K9 and Friends of the Animals, met last Tuesday (6^th Oct to discuss the financial plight of the organisations and to address ways of dealing with the crisis.
 
The outcome was a merger between the two main animal rescue centres in the South. The meeting, jointly chaired by Elsie Clinton-Leslie and Eugenio, presidents of their respective K9 and Live Arico associations, was held at the Los Cristianos Cultural Centre.
They outlined the particular strengths currently of both refuges, and the importance of the need for regular income to look after the abandoned dogs and cats of South Tenerife.
They agreed there would be a renewed energy in working together for the benefit of those animals in their care.
 
Supporters joined in the discussion, emphasising the total lack of understanding and commitment from any of the South Tenerife Town Halls, who are quite prepared to allow the charities to take responsibility for rescuing and protecting these abandoned and neglected animals.
They agreed unanimously that they would have more clout and influence if they linked up to form one major organisation in the South.
It was not good practice, they said, to have several small rescue groups, however good the intentions of the individuals concerned.
 
They also agreed the general public were confused about the present Yellow (Live Arico) and Red (K9) collection boxes on bar counters.
The boxes will now be collected as soon as possible and replaced in the near future with one larger box for the new association.
 
Members are now considering a new (short) name for the new association, and anyone with a good suggestion can email it to mikebtenerife@yahoo.co.uk or info@k9tenerife.com or poochiespethotel@hotmail.com before the 3^rd November.
 
Before the meeting closed, Eugenio reminded supporters to spread the word that if a dog was found abandoned, a call to the police on 112 might be more appropriate than contacting a rescue centre.
The 17 representatives in attendance were delighted the meeting had been positive and agreed that, together, they could make a difference. 

 

 

European Citizens in the know
 
THE next meeting of Ciudadanos Europeos (European Citizens) will be held on Wednesday, 18^th November, at the Cultural Centre, Los Cristianos.
The evening begins at 7.30pm, and British Consul Dr Matthew Vickers will be in attendance for what should be a fascinating session. As usual, non-members will be most welcome.

The group’s October meeting took place last Wednesday (7^th Oct), when Jill
Ashton, of TIBC, answered legal questions and updated members on new legislation.

 Fisherman’s grand ‘heroes’ haul
 
 THE Fisherman’s Inn raised an amazing 1,000 euros for the Help The Heroes charity with its recent Fun in the Sun event.
The Los Cristianos bar laid a brilliant day of live music, raffles and games for customers and friends. The entertainment was generously provided by Alexander McCrae, Buddy Graham,

Lee Way

, Brad James, Harlene and Hayley.
 
Owners Pam and Tony thank all customers, old and new, for their generosity in raising this fantastic amount. 


Special thanks go to Angie and Jo, for the organisation, Buzanada Tony, for publicity, Paul Goldney, for the use of his PA equipment, plus Charlie, Callum, Mike, Yvonne, Julian and Sarah for being massively supportive.
 
 Also, a huge thank-you to all the businesses, who, despite the current credit-crunch climate, donated the wonderful prizes.
Pam added: “To everyone else who helped on the day – too many to mention, but you all know who you are – a thousand thanks to you all.”

 

 

Lions’ still offering their helping hand for doctors                
THE local Lions Clubs are still promoting their English-Spanish guide book to help with medical translations.
It features hundreds of necessary phrases and expressions that an English-speaker, not fluent in Spanish, will find useful if attending a clinic or surgery, with a medical
problem.
It is arranged so that even if the pronunciation is difficult, you can just point to what you want to say, and let the physician see the translation.
It covers a very wide range of anatomical problems and, at just three euros, is something to keep in the house. All monies are going to Lions’ Clubs’ charities.
The book is available from the MDI furniture shop in Alcala; Megatone, in El Varadero (daytime); Lions Shop, opposite Coral Mar Square, Costa del Silencio  (open 11am-2pm, weekdays); Pig in the Dip, Costa del Silencio (day and evening); Mr and Mrs Davies, 629 883 733 (Ten Bel area), and The Anglican Chaplaincy of South Tenerife.
Incidentally, the Lions Clubs in this area are collecting all your old spectacles for re-cycling and re-distribution. They are sent to Third World clinics, for post eye-operation patients, through Lions Clubs International.
Everything is accepted gladly, even old shades, and they can all be left with Lions’ members, or at the Lions’ shop  opposite Coral Mar Square; Pig in the Dip; Mrs and Mrs Davies 629 883 733, and MDI or Megatone.